Nationally, unemployment rates have dropped during the past few years. Likewise, since 2011 the number of unemployed civilians in Mississippi has decreased by more than 40,000.

But what does that mean for the job market and its future?

Wayne Gasson, office director of Workforce Information at the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, shared some insight about the current job market and what’s to come.

Q. Unemployment numbers seem to be dropping for Forrest, Lamar and Jones counties and Mississippi overall. What does this mean for the job market?

A. When the unemployment rate begins to fall for the state or local area, it is usually a positive indication that jobs are being created in the area and that people are working. I believe that the job market in Forrest, Lamar and Jones counties will continue to show growth. Each area has shown strong economies for quite some time, and I see no reason that would change in the future.

Q. Numbers for labor force and employed Mississippians have decreased from last year. How does this compare with the state’s decrease in unemployment?

A. While labor force, employment and unemployment counts have declined over the year, it is important to note that each is based on an individual’s county of residence. For example, a person who resides in Forrest County may actually work in Stone or Pearl River county, but they would be counted as employed in Forrest County. It means that economic events (business closures or new business openings) in one county may impact several counties, not just the county where a business is located.

Q. Which industry sectors employ the most Mississippians?

A. The largest five industry sectors are health care, manufacturing, retail trade, accommodation and food services, and educational services.

Q. Which Mississippi industries are doing the most active hiring?

A. Using employment counts from Mississippi’s monthly Nonfarm Employment survey, the following industries reported employment gains from October to November 2013: manufacturing (+700), retail trade (+4,000) and professional and business services (+2,100).

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Q. What professions are expected to show the most growth in the coming years?

A. If we use occupations with simply the largest number of predicted annual openings, then the top five occupations in Mississippi are cashiers, retail sales workers, registered nurses, waiters and waitresses and laborers and freight, stock and material movers. However, if we use average wages, entry wages and annual openings and compare occupations to the overall state averages, the top five occupations change. Using this approach, the top five occupations are registered nurses, heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers, elementary school teachers, general and operations managers and secondary school teachers.

Q. How does the job market in Mississippi compare with that of other states?

A. As of November 2013, the not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for Mississippi, surrounding states and the U.S. are as follows: Mississippi, 7.6 percent; Alabama, 5.6 percent; Tennessee, 7.4 percent; Arkansas, 6.9 percent; Louisiana, 5.6 percent; and U.S., 6.6 percent.